Tiffany Painter

Me Time
If you ever tried to carve out space for creating something, you will understand this. Sometimes you just have to run away from home so you can slow down and do the work. At home, even when you give yourself time, there are distractions and demands. There is a to-do list waiting for you, a dog that needs walking, a spouse with a “quick question,” weeds that need pulling. You get the idea. It is very hard to get lost in your thoughts and then lock yourself away from all of that to be able to arrange those thoughts into sentences that make sense. So I did what needed to be done and I left home. Just for a week. I am about to embark on a week at a writing retreat/workshop where the only thing on my must-do list is write. I will be able to stick with a thought and not have to try to stay in the moment between stops and starts. Life has a way of creeping in when it’s not wanted at home. I started my adventure yesterday with a day of flying. For some reason, every flight must have a transfer in Chicago. Someday I hope to leave that airport and see the actual city. My baby plane (only room for 50 passengers) got me to another city where I spent the night at a hotel and started meeting fellow creatives – who all flew through Chicago. Today five of us will share a car and drive another hour to our destination. There, we will spread out in cabins and lodges to enjoy five days of writing heaven. There will be 21 kid-lit authors working on their stories alone, with each other, with faculty of published authors, and, most importantly, undisturbed. I’m not saying a change of location will make me an award winning author, but it will let me focus on something important to me. For five whole days – longer if you count the time I outlined on the plane and in the hotel room. Some people will take golf trips, go on fishing adventures, or beach vacations. For me, this is the dream. I forgot to mention all meals and snacks will be prepared by dedicated staff. And there is yoga in the morning to kick off the days. Seriously, I’m living in a fantasy this week. I have had a few months to push aside any guilt about running away. Funny that I started with guilt about taking a week for myself and what I fully consider my work. But with a little help from my friends and family, I let those feelings go. Everyone should be allowed time for their craft if possible. It would be wasted time to be here and guilty. So I hope the rest of you have a great week and the world doesn’t fall apart without me. I have someplace to be.
10/15

promise of a new day
before missteps can happen
dreams still possible
10/18

attendees coming
check-in table ready
names displayed today
10/24

morning shadows chill
glowing reds of autumn warms
spotlighted by sun
10/25

start of the journey
headed for adventure
bags and mind ready
October 26, 2025

haiga, haiku, joyful, thankful
When Reading is Work
As a life-long reader, I’ve read across many genres and age categories. The feeling of slipping into another world and traveling alongside a character is magical. Unfortunately, my real life has lead me to Oz where the curtain has been pulled back to expose the truth behind the magic. Since leaving teaching a few years ago, my professional life has been devoted to writing. This journey of learning all I can about this craft and industry has impacted my reading. I don’t feel the enchantment of getting lost in a story the way I once did. I notice things authors do and think about their decisions in telling their stories. In my attempt to hold onto the magic of reading, I only write middle grade. Any ideas that drift my way for adult or even young adult stories are allowed to continue on their way. I want those types of books to stay behind the curtain allowing me to continue getting caught up in the storytelling. I only want to tarnish my middle grade reading – work reading. Writers are told to read like writers, but that means reading is now work. For me, I read for work and pleasure, and try hard to keep them separate. This does not mean I don’t like the middle grade books I read. I still love seeing these young characters navigate through their adventures, but part of my brain focuses on the techniques the authors use to create these escapades. Sometimes though, a middle grade book comes along that captivates me and lets me get lost again in the fun. Last week that happened twice. First, From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks had me fully invested in young Zoe who writes letters to her father in prison for murder. A father she hadn’t heard from until her twelfth birthday. She must figure out a way to prove if this man she’s never met is telling the truth about his innocence. I loved how this book introduces some heavy topics in authentic ways that came across as kid friendly and not preachy. The second book I devoured in two days was The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple. This story is about a boy trying to understand his mother’s absence, his place in the world, and how sometimes we don’t get to decide if others are broken or not. What was so amazing about this book is it was written in verse. I was in awe of Stemple’s ability to tell an entire story in this format. Thanks to these two books, I was reminded that work can be fun.
9/29

from the outer tips
fall pushes summer away
takes longer days with
10/2

a throne carved for me
resting spot hidden away
seat hard as timber
10/4

meander through trees
sheathed in all their autumn best
follow golden trail
10/8

last bit of color
before winter rushes in
blanketing with white
10/11

morning yoga time
not a fan of downward dog
prefers to just watch
October 12, 2025

books, haiga, haiku, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Janae Marks, middle grade, reading
Bring Back Reading
Everywhere I look these days I see reports about the decline in reading for fun. Just today the paper reported that data from 2003 to 2023 found a 40% decline in people who read daily for pleasure. Only about 16% of people read! When I read the news, I see the results of this decline with every headline. We live in a society that lacks empathy, imagination, reasoning, and cognitive skills. Reading helps people develop all of these skills. Another benefit of reading is its influence on mental health. I don’t think there is a study out there that claims reading has a negative impact on anyone’s brain development the way social media does. We live in a time where connecting with stories is so easy: books, e-books, audio books. A library card and a device can get you an electronic book or audio book without even leaving your home. With Bookshop.org you can order a book delivered to your mailbox and still support independent bookstores. I wish we could hope for an improvement with the next generation, but sadly, only about 2% of people with children under 9 years old read to those kids. As a writer of middle grade books, all I hear is this market is dead. That means the ones who have developing brains are using video games and technology rather than books to prepare for their future. According to my book tracker, I have read 70 books so far this year. That covers everything from children’s book through adult, audio and traditional. Yes, it is more than most people can expect, but writers need to read a lot for their craft. (It’s my favorite part of what I do.) All that reading helps build my imagination and I like to imagine a world where people read just a book a month, even a book every other month. That world would be a better place full of people who care about one another and have the skills needed to solve problems that creates a more desirable society. So, please do your part to bring reading back. (My statistics came from an article in the New York Times by Maggie Astor.)

Some of my favorites this year: (very hard to take 70 down to 10)
- By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
- My Friends by Fredrick Backman
- The Names by Florence Knapp
- Bug Hollow by Michelle Huneven
- She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Mike
- Water, Water: Poems by Billy Collins
- The 10: A Memoir of Family and the Open Road by E.A. Hanks
- Wish by Barbara O’Connor
- I, Cosmo by Carlie Sorosiak
- Away by Megan E. Freeman
9/18

watching from a perch
above the people and dogs
hidden in plain sight
9/20

silent rock watching
resting amongst the flowers
greeter at the beach
9/23

new season arrived
summer days made way for fall
golden hues enchant
9/25

leafy fall backdrop
yellow with a tinge of green
highlights true beauty
9/27

looming from afar
snow frosted mountains remind
seasons always change
September 28, 2025

books, haiga, haiku, reading
Breathing
There’s something about standing with your toes burrowing into the sand, water rushing around your ankles, and sun beaming down on your face that allows you to take a deep breath in. The kind that fills your lungs with sea air and pushes aside all your worries, at least for the moment. Maybe it’s living in a land-locked state that makes trips to the beach so special. Perhaps the beachcombers feel the same when they suck in what oxygen they can at 12,000 feet. The truth is probably more in the breathing in than the location of said breath. The people who live and work along the coast have the same daily chores as those of us nestled in the mountains. We all have dishes to wash, pets to walk, and laundry to put away. Incoming messages seem to find us wherever we are. But there is beauty in standing still and taking in what’s around you and just resetting. For me, trips to the beach – no matter how short the trip and how few I get – remind me that there is good in the world and it’s okay to enjoy it. Scooping up an unbroken shell buried in the sand may not solve any problems in the news, but it will bring me joy. Some days that is an absolute win. We can have empathy for all the people suffering in the world and still be allowed to find beauty wherever and whenever we can. These moments to reset are what give us the ability to continue with hope, empathy, and courage. Today I will pause and breathe in the salty air of the beach, and tomorrow the crisp mountain air of home. It’s all about the breathing.
9/4

sitting in the rain
making my buddy happy
he is so worth it
9/6

new word for old dog
beach added to vocab list
morning game changer
9/9

clouds blocked nighttime sight
missed the view of Blood Moon
my morning re-do
9/13

ocean bubble bath
wind and waves disturb water
sea foam sweeps ashore
September 14, 2025

beach, haiga, haiku, joyful, thankful
Finally, Something Good
So another big week in the news. But this time, we could pry our eyes from the train wreck that has become the norm and celebrate some good news. I don’t even have to say who got engaged for everyone to know what good news I am talking about. And you don’t have to be a Swiftie or Chief’s fan to appreciate this engagement. I don’t have any friendships bracelets and didn’t go to her concert, but I can appreciate the power and influence of a woman who has found a way to do what she loves and still tries to spread good around the world. She does not forget about all the people who work to create the universe she lives in. She has gone up against people who have tried to take ownership of her work, and, frankly, outsmarted them. When she’s not busy building an empire, she remembers to share what she has with the communities around the world that welcome her. Really, other than having a few friends try to get her in trouble with their messy lives, she pretty much just spreads happiness wherever she goes. And she likes cats. The other half of this news story goes to a man who is also really good at his job, and for someone whose hometown team is a rival of his team, that’s hard to admit. He has proven that he is more than just a jock. He demonstrates family loyalty by working with his brother and praising his parents, not to mention being a devoted uncle. He lifts his girlfriend up and lets her work shine. He even learned something new so he could participate in what she likes and literally put himself on stage for the world to see. Even though all the Dads, Brads, and Chads are not happy that their golden boy has allowed the women into their private club, he has not only welcomed the women, he holds the door open for them. Many people complain about this good news and some even mock it. All the other news of the week reminds us that we live in a world where hatred is honored, where belittling others is encouraged, where seeking power is the goal. All the people who follow that path will never be able to appreciate the simple joy of two people falling in love and wanting to get married, even when they live on a stage for the world to see. At a time when the news tends to make me angry, this news was a pleasant read, and I say congratulations to the happy couple (who remained nameless).
8/18

after midnight rain
morning sun highlights puddles
freshly washed world
8/20

greeting each other
both welcoming the new day
peaceful morning walks
8/23

when the clouds roll in
morning sun pushed aside
day calls for muffins
8/26

sun sent wake-up call
enjoying morning stretches
soaking up the rays
8/30

living on the edge
unable to take next step
rooted to this spot
August 31, 2025

good news, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Walks with Zephyr
Hanging with Friends
I love going to a friend’s place and talking about books. It’s even better when friends share books with me. I get the same feeling when I go to an independent bookstore. Denver almost lost a beloved indie this summer, but happily The Bookies was able to find a new owner and stay open. Sue Lubeck opened this literary treasure in 1972 and ownership transferred to Nicole Sullivan in 2021 after Lubeck died. The newest owner, Kirstin Gulling, is living out a dream many of us have of giving up “grown-up” work – for her being a lawyer – to opening a little bookstore. Go ahead a sigh, you know you want to. I had been to The Bookies at its current location under previous ownership and knew how the furniture was arranged and where the different genres were located. When I went this time it was like going into the neighbor’s house with new neighbors. The layout of the furniture was different, but I still knew we were going to be friends. The books may not be in the same places, but they are still there. When you get a new book from an indie, it feels like you’re getting a book from a friend. An independent bookstore is the best place to go when you are feeling tired and overwhelmed with corporate America and everything in the news. It represents hope for the future. A place where people want to be helpful, kind, and well-read. I can’t remember ever walking into an indie and not being met with a smile from someone ready to welcome me. On this particular visit it was even better because a debut author was there to share her new book. Being at an author event is the ultimate friendship ritual. Everyone gathers around to hear from someone who is sharing something so personal (writing a book is being willing to put your heart out there for everyone to see). The smiles are contagious. I hope Abby White’s new book D.J. Rosenbaum Becomes the G.O.A.T. finds many new friends and leads to many more books from Abby. When it was time to leave the store, something difficult for me to do, I had Abby’s new book tucked under my arm and happy to have made a new friend. I’ll be back soon, The Bookies.
8/6

setting sun’s waning light
still pushing through smoky clouds
scorching day closing
8/9

lookout on duty
keeping eye out for danger
bright spot of color
8/13

mornings together
devoted friend by my side
there’s nothing better
8/14

day is winding down
soft hues lighten evening walk
last gift from above
8/16

just waiting to play
me and my ball will be here
ready when you are
August 16, 2025

Abby White, books, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, independent bookstores, reading, The Bookies
If I’d Only Made the Light
Sometimes when I’m approaching an intersection and the light suddenly changes, for or against me, I wonder what would have happened if it hadn’t changed. Would I have gotten in an accident? Did I avoid an accident? Did the change for me ripple out and change something for someone else? You can see when you start down this rabbit hole, you can be here for a while. The idea of a parallel life where subtle changes could lead you someplace completely different intrigues me. I’ve seen movies (Sliding Doors) and musicals (If/Then) about this, but now I’ve read a book that shows three completely different lives if one change is made. The Names by Florence Knapp is the perfect book if you ever get stuck down the hole wondering ‘what if.’ It starts out with a woman registering the name of her new born son and what happens to the boy and his family based on the name he is given. I was worried going in that the story would be rather flat and just the name itself would change everything, but it isn’t. Rather than focusing on the what, it’s about the why. That always makes a more interesting discussion. Cora has to decide if she is going to follow her husband’s expectation that the child be named after him, her daughter’s desire to give her baby brother a name that describes him, or a name that she likes that offers her son hope for a better future. The reader needs to be warned the husband is abusive to Cora. This puts additional pressure on her decision. The book is told in sections that jump every seven years. Each section has three chapters told from the storyline of each name. The reader gets to see how Cora’s decision plays out over 35 years. That one moment impacted the lives of so many characters. I hope you can find a copy of this book and get lost in the what ifs Knapp has so brilliantly created. I’m going to be happy with my decision and not wonder what I’d be thinking about if I had picked up a different book to read.
7/23

someone has their ducks
all in a row on the dash
directing the ride
7/26

peeking around trees
morning light beckons me
through the wispy clouds
8/1

giant wish waiting
to take flight with secret hopes
carried in the breeze
8/2

devoted to change
hard work combined with sharp teeth
shifting river’s flow
August 3, 2025

books, Florence Knapp, haiga, haiku, TBR, wondering
Annotating Life
I’m reading a book. That in itself is not newsworthy. I read a lot of books. But this book is different. This book came out last November and I had planned on reading it right away but life got in the way. Ann Patchett, one of my favorites, went back to a book she had published in 2001, Bel Canto, and annotated it. Her handwritten notes are in the margins and words are crossed out or underlined throughout. It’s like being in a critique group with Ann Patchett herself. She points out times when she overwrote and less would have been better, when she used the same word too many times in a short period, when sentences should have been reworked, and when she made mistakes with the topic. I especially love the added personal notes when she loved something or used her own life to add elements to the storytelling. I have already learned from her mistakes in my own writing and find myself cutting out words when fewer will suffice. But writing aside, what I love most about reading this is the idea of looking back on our lives and being able to critique ourselves. How often would less words have served a situation better? When did we repeat ourselves, in action or words, and not for the better? How did we feel when we misunderstood something and only learned the truth later? Everyone is guilty of indiscretions like these, but Patchett also reminds us to take notice of the things we not only got right, but did so amazingly well. Really look at the times when we added something positive to a situation. The missteps are easy to see, but take the time to accept the victories. They are there, too.
7/10

under speckled sky
stuffing shaken from dog toy
splendid summer day
7/12

hidden behind clouds
concealed sunlight staying strong
still seeks to shine down
7/15

little thin on top
even the trees have to ask
time for leaf implants?
7/17

sunshine from above
is all it takes to flourish
no matter the base
7/19

lounging together
in the coolness of the shade
best buds united
July 19, 2025

Ann Patchett, books, change, haiga, haiku, haiku Saturday, Parnassus Books, reading, scbwi, wondering
The Halfway Point
We are halfway through the year! And what a year it’s been. When I was a teacher this is when I would get sad that summer was halfway over and it would be time to go back to work soon. But now I can use this as a time to reflect. I am halfway through the quilt I’m working on – but I’ve been working on this for well over a year. I’m halfway through an amazing book – you should run to your nearest indie bookstore and get Fredrik Backman’s latest book, My Friends. I’m halfway (hopefully) through a renovation – this has caused me to wake halfway through the night many, many times. I’m halfway through the latest rounds of revisions/edits on my manuscript – I’m determined this will be the last time I make big changes. So many things I’m halfway through. It’s nice to look back to the beginning and see where I started – skeins of yarn, stacks of books, old carpet, story not told – and then see how much closer I am to the finish line. But as I look at that finish line getting closer, I stop and think about what it will be like when I reach it. Is crossing that line really what’s most important? When I finish making the blanket what will happen then. I will go get more yarn and start a new blanket. When I finish the book, I will start a new one. When I finish my manuscript – and start the heartbreaking process of querying it – I will think of another story that wants to be told. The only finish line I am racing towards and will NEVER start again is the remodel – I highly recommend moving instead. All of these halfway projects remind me that the journey really is what it’s all about. The process of doing is what’s most important. Finish lines are just rest stops along the way, unless it’s a remodel.
6/24

air heavy today
full of possibilities
lurking all around
6/28

nature at its best
picture worthy of hanging
best seen from outdoors
7/1

ready to support
providing inspiration
blank pages waiting
7/2

like rings on a tree
my body feels each year pass
but still moving strong
7/5

dog bed begs for use
soft grass beckons from nearby
yet, rocky path wins
July 6, 2025

change, haiga, haiku, joyful, seasons, summer
Nonfiction in the Summer?!?
Summer is here and the reading is in full swing. I read a lot year round, but there is something special about summer reading. Sitting in the shade with a good book is the best! Most of my reading is fiction, and some gives off complete beach read vibes, but recently I picked up a nonfiction book that was getting recommended everywhere. The author is someone who is known for his YA books like The Fault in Our Stars, so I was skeptical when his book Everything Is Tuberculosis was getting such high praise. I can tell you after reading John Green’s book, I am won over. I admit I got the book with some reservations. Did I really want to read a book about the deadliest infection? That seems like a bit of a summer downer. I can tell you if all history books were written by John Green, there would be more history majors. Green humanized the topic by introducing us to Henry who has spent most of his life fighting a curable and preventative disease. We are talking about a child born in this century, or at least near. Tuberculosis is not some terrible disease from the past. Over a million people died from it in 2023. The book highlights worldwide healthcare inequalities and that because of the desire for profit over lives we have chosen to live in a world with tuberculosis when we don’t have to. The book is not all about the modern day issues, but also looks at the history of this disease. When it was called consumption it was romanticized more and accepted. By the time it became known as tuberculosis there was a stigma attached to it and people who were fighting the disease were often shunned. SAME ILLNESS! When you read this book, don’t skip the footnotes. Green gives extra information with just the right amount of sarcasm. If I had footnotes I would add that John Green is brothers with Hank Green and the two are behind the fun science YouTube videos Crash Course that I often used when I was teaching. Before this book I had no idea he was the same John Green. I guess nonfiction isn’t so bad after all.
6/11

sun shines from above
weight of winter pulls away
feel myself grow tall
6/14

silence of the day
broken with the melody
turtle swims in breeze
6/17

don’t let her fool you
instigator of trouble
sweet little kitten
6/19

defying nature
afternoon storm did its best
couldn’t quell the bloom
6/21

best part of the walk
sitting in the shade after
enjoying summer
June 21, 2025

haiga, haiku, John Green, reading, summer